THE objects choicewhat is it? If you are a strategic player of Pokemonyou’ve probably heard of them, but they remain a mystery to many Pokéfans. Let’s discover together the ins and outs of these must-haves of the strategy.
General
THE objects choicethree in number, are strategic objects which, when held by a Pokemonwill increase one of its 50% statisticsbut by forcing it to use only one attack from its moveset, until it is switched. In the event that the Pokémon is no longer able to use the chosen attack (lack of PP, Hindrance), it will automatically use Struggle.
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Choice banner Increases Attack stat by 50%, but locks the user into a single ability. |
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Glasses choice Increases Special Attack stat by 50%, but locks the user into a single ability. |
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Handkerchief choice Increases the Speed stat by 50%, but locks the user into a single ability. |
In strategy, a Pokemon equipped with one of these items is called a Choice Bander, Choice Spec, or Choice Scarfer, depending on the item used (the Choice Headband, Choice Specs, or Choice Scarf, respectively).
In practice
You like to use Pokemon aggressive with a moveset that only consists of offensive attacks? Then Choice Items are for you. Indeed, most Pokémon, when using a Choice Item, adopt a playstyle based solely on type cover offensive, at the expense of Boost or status attacks.
But what Pokemon can be used with these famous objects? Generally, they are used either to strengthen an existing strength of a given Pokémon, or to compensate for one of its weaknesses. For example, we can come across Cisayox Or Mammochon played with the Choice Banner to benefit from an even greater striking force, because they are so-called “bulky” Pokémon, a little slower than their counterparts, but capable of absorbing certain opposing attacks. On the other hand, we can also come across Pokémon like Heatran with the Handkerchief Choicewhich will allow him to be faster than some of his most dangerous checks, and thus to settle on the ground with more comfort.
Of course, these are just examples, and strategists will decide on a case-by-case basis whether using a choice item is profitable, based on the stats of the Pokémon being played and the role that they want to attribute to him.
To go further
Since choice objects are a bit special, we will go over several advanced techniques here, allowing you to take full advantage of them.
Boost Attacks
These should be completely banned from the moveset of any Pokémon played with a Choice Item. This is because if your Pokémon uses Sword Dance, it will remain blocked on this attack and will therefore never be able to take advantage of the boost provided to attack.
The Tourmagik case
Tourmagik is an attack that allows you to exchange your object with that of the opposing Pokémon. Thus, you can block an opposing Pokémon on an attack, handicapping it, forcing it to switch or even sometimes making it useless for the duration of the fight. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a stall (Pokémon that is resistant and uses mainly status attacks) can have some use by only using Toxic.
The Tourmagik attack is therefore particularly interesting in strategy with a choice object, because even if it occupies an attack slot, it can allow you to hold your role as a Pokémon at object choicebut also to severely handicap the opposing team, and subsequently take advantage of the situation.
Switch attacks
These attacks, like U-turn Or Flash changebring back your Pokemon in your team, and you can then choose to send another one into battle. In the case where you use this type of attack on a Pokémon equipped with a choice item, you therefore benefit from the statistical advantage, without being handicapped by having to remain blocked, because your Pokémon does not remain on the field.
Priority attacks
Finally, these attacks, widely used especially with the Choice bannerallow a bulky Pokémon to strike first. We were talking earlier about Mammochon and its role as a Pokémon equipped with a choice object. For example, it will be able to use the attack Ice shardsin order to attack with priority, and easily kill Pokémon like Carchacrok Or Drattak.
Choice objects are therefore an essential part of the strategy Pokemonand even if you don’t plan on using them personally, it’s important to know how they work and how they can be used against you. Don’t hesitate, as you gain strategic experience, to share your opinions on these items and your movesets that use them in the comments.
